River Hawks Can't Afford a Letdown

Posted by riverhawkshockey on February 29th, 2012

The rugged three-week stretch of games against nationally-ranked opponents is over. The River Hawks began that stretch ranked seventh in the country, rose as high as sixth, and fell only to eighth after a 2-3-1 record against some of the top teams in the country. Remarkably, because of the strength of the teams they had to face, they’re still tied for fourth in U.S. College Hockey Online’s pairwise ratings that reflect what the NCAA Tournament selection committee would be thinking.
But the third-place River Hawks can’t afford to relax on the final weekend of the regular season against Providence. Sure, the Friars are reeling after getting swept by Boston College last weekend and being outscored 10-0. Sure, the Friars are winless in their last four outings (0-2-2) and have netted just three goals.
But the Friars have yet to lock up a berth in next week’s Lamoriello Trophy Tournament, so they’re not packing it in just yet.
And the River Hawks have to recognize that this weekend’s scenario is eerily reminiscent of when they played Providence for the first time back in January.
The Friars were mired in a 1-5-1 streak and had just been shellacked 8-0 by Boston University. UML turned in one of its few lackluster efforts of the season and lost 1-0.
The River Hawks still have the remotest of chances of finishing in first place for the first time ever in Hockey East’s 28-year history. But first things first, and take care of the things they can directly control. They need a point this weekend to clinch home ice for the first time since 2002. They can’t afford to have another letdown against a Providence team that needs two points this weekend to assure itself of a berth in the tournament.